Tag Archives: Switzerland
John Harlin Walking the Swiss Border
Earlier this summer we posted our story & photos about John Harlin’s Swiss Border project. It was a project we were very lucky to be a part of as we would have the pleasure of meeting John, spending some days with him as he walked the entire Swiss Border, and getting to visually document part of the process. After three very long & difficult days with John, I was left thinking that in order to complete this epic journey he would need a very strong will, endless endurance and bomber knees. Apparently, he has all these things as yesterday, September 12, at exactly noon, he summited Mont Dolent – this, after 104 days of being on the move . By doing so, he completed a very large circle that offered him countless geographic and weather challenges, but also an endless stream of memorable trailside human encounters and support via social media.
John Harlin arriving to the summit of Mont Dolent
We joined him as he first set out this summer, then again yesterday for his finish atop Mont Dolent, which serves as the border between France, Italy and Switzerland. Also in our group were supporters & partners from Swiss Tourism, some close friends, and his host SwissInfo.ch.
The day started off with the sound of heavy rain bombarding our bivouac on the Italian side of Mont Dolent. 5 am, rain, 6am, rain, 7 am, drizzle. With drizzle being a major improvement, and John determined to close the project, we all set out. 30 minutes later as we gained the glacier the first rays of sun were streaming through the clouds. Shortly after this we had bluebird conditions and a freshly frosted mountain all to ourselves.
A huge congratulations to John for completing his journey and lifelong dream. There are some great stories from along the way at SwissInfo Border Stories. Also, a follow up summary is soon to follow and can be watched for at the SwissBorder Facebook Page. His own write up of the final day is appropriately titled, Party Time.
A few images from a great day with a superb group of people.
Inside the Bivouaco Fiorio. Too bad we had to carry all the schnapps & wine up, there just wasn't enough.
John Harlin leaving the bivouac in wet and unpleasant weather for his final day on the Swiss Border
The crew negotiating a heavily crevassed glacier below Mont Dolent
The skies cleared to a perfect last day. Here, John is on the upper glacier before the final rock ridge.
John Harlin and Friends on the summit of Mont Dolent. Congratulations John.
Even the Ibex were out in support. This big guy was on the doorstep of the bivouac when we returned.
Everyone down and happy to the bivouac with Mont Dolent behind.
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Posted in Climbing, Photography, Profiles
Also tagged Documentary, Europe, hiking, Photography, Photoshoots
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Photo of the Day and Clip Combo
This weeks Photo of the Day is also a new Clip. Mountain Travel Sobek, one of the world’s leading adventure travel companies is using an image of our’s for their 2010 catalog. The image is one we made in 2004 and is of Janine sitting on a small dock at a lake above Zermatt, Switzerland. The Matterhorn is in the distance.
Making the photo was not straightforward and only exists due to a bit of perseverance. Once a week, all summer, there is a sunrise breakfast at a tram station high above Zermatt. The tram leaves very early in the morning’s pre-dawn darkness. We remember walking through Zermatt’s silent streets, convinced we were wasting our time thanks to skies absent of stars – just thick with clouds. But, we were up and thought we might as well give it a try. In the cabin were several other photographers with their big tripods and towering LowePro backpacks. The tram made an intermediate stop and out the photographers went, greeted by thick grey skies.
We all marched to the lake where we were greeted by black, still waters, no view and clouds swirling about the peaks. The sun would be up in a few minutes but it seemed unlikely that we would see it. As a photographer this is part of the game. More often than not you get weather not to order. In the Alps it happens so often that we sort of accept it. The cussing still occurs but once finished we typically fall into a state of relaxation and sort of enjoy the cancelled work day. And so this particular morning we sat and watched as the other photographers took a few token shots before wandering off in disgust. We remained.
What occurred in the next few minutes was something of a gift – within minutes the skies cleared, the peaks came out and we had our opportunity. Now, all alone we were free to run around and compose as we pleased. Lesson learned.
Swiss Fasnacht: Luzern
In the silence of the early morning darkness two gorillas followed us to town. Ahead could be heard the roar of party goers, firecrackers and traditional Carnival music, known to the Swiss as Guggenmusik. My legs, still sore from the previous day’s ski race, forced us to descend the steep stairs to the city of Luzern slowly allowing the gorillas to pass by, leaving in their wake a fog of alcohol.
At 5 a.m., the prospect of a raging party in the ice cold rain seems like something I would go back to sleep and avoid. But I was excited, it was my first Fasnacht, the ancient and traditional festival to force away the dark, winter spirits and prepare for spring and warmer temperatures. In modern times, it is a 6 day, round the clock party that allows the Swiss to cut loose. Mayhem, chaotic, jubilant, filthy, and loud are not words typically used to describe the Swiss, but for this week all pretenses are dropped. Hiding behind beautifully constructed masks, they let’er rip.
I was skeptical to wake in the dark, put on a dress and mask then dance through the early morning hours in a sleet storm. But, hours later, sitting in a cafe, my legs newly sore from dancing, I was anything but upset about the early wake up. Fasnacht is something everyone should experience. Like everything the Swiss do, it is perfect.
Janine in costume
A mask from a band member
For one brief moment, the sun appeared, and with it a family of sunflowers
Urban ski touring
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And the most popular booth
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